LFNAC Minutes – February 26, 2009

The Library Facilities Needs Assessment Committee met at the Hatfield Public Library at 6:40 p.m.

Present: Martin Antonetti, Dodie Gaudet, Susan Gaughan, Harold Green, Lynn Omasta and Mary Williams. Also present: Stephen Hale, architect; Trustee Chair Melissa Green joined the group during the meeting.
Absent: Milton Howard

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: To pay Sheila for 4 additional hours of work and to pay Stephen Hale $7664.

There was discussion of the comments made from the Open Forum held February 21.
Issues were
- using or not using the space that is currently the children's room;
- that we haven't allocated enough space for the museum;
- one selectman wants both the library and museum in the present town hall.

The Committee has already discussed the fact that the library would not easily fit into the Town Hall or the Center School regardless of the amount of money spent. Stephen says there are much better uses of the Center School (e.g. apartments) than a library.

Martin suggested that if the museum were part of the library, we could include it in our construction plans. A combined collection (books, etc. and artifacts) under the authority of the library director would help with security of the museum collection. Can the library staff handle this additional responsibility? Would the new director be qualified to maintain the artifacts and other museum items?

We discussed various drawings of our final two options: add/reno to Dickinson or a new building next to Dickinson. A new building requires more overall footprint on the site. Abutters (currently Thomas and Mary Lynn Carroll) will be crowded. The town would lose some park-like space. Pushing the building back will encroach on the water detention area which may have to be reengineered. A new building will be less expensive than an add/reno and be better organized for a small staff.

An add/reno will cost approximately 20% more and be more difficult to design in terms of ensuring equal access regardless of mobility. It will require an elevator and two fire stairs because there will be 3 floors (basement, first floor, attic), and it will be more difficult to staff as there will not be a staff person on every floor. However, many townspeople want the library to stay in its current building. Committee members agreed that an add/reno would be an easier sell to the town.

MOVED, SECONDED, VOTED: Proceed with design for an addition/renovation to Dickinson Memorial.

Our next meeting is Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hatfield Library; Stephen Hale will attend this meeting.

Committee members are planning a day trip to visit some of Stephen’s other library projects. Tentative date is Friday, April 3.

The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dodie Gaudet, Secretary